Automatic Transmission and cold weather

Howdy folks,

I've been noticing something odd about my transmission and cold weather.

I'm very close to a highway so from a cold start I'm on the highway in less than two minutes. I'm in "D"rive the entire time.

Once I'm up to speed (60ish mph) I've noticed that when it's cold my automatic transmission will not shift out of fourth gear into fifth for quite a while, a mile or so. When it's very cold out that shift takes longer.

Today it was almost 3 miles before it finally shifted into 5th gear. Granted it was -15 Fahrenheit this morning.

I don't see this behavior when it's warm out.

It makes some sense to me to get things warmed up a bit faster but this morning was extreme.

Anyone else experience this?

Cheers,
TJ

 

I believe the purpose behind this is the hold the engine at a higher rpm to allow a faster warm up to operating temp and I believe it helps get the transmission up to operating temp.

 

Here is a link where you can read about this. I think it applies to your transmission. My 4runner does this also and it is normal. Read under "Water temperature sensor"
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h16.pdf

 

Normal.

 

Id move south if I were u

 

I noticed recently on mine while it's cold it shifts hard into the last gear. I seems to shift hard in other gears periodically, and sometimes it seems to drag on a while before shifting. I'm wondering if it's adjusted itself to my driving style. I don't beat it, but get on the gas sometimes. I just love how much more responsive it is compared to the manual 6 speed I had.

I'm going to try and disconnect the battery and see if it goes back to a 'default' shifting style. It didn't shift like this originally. It only has about 6,600 miles on it.

 

We have had very similiar symptoms with our '05 Auto. My cure doesn't completely solve it but helps. Long idle times don't help at all ... and it seems worse if I cruise out to the main highway in drive and 30-40mph rather than keeping it in 3rd and higher rpms for 5 mins or so. Ours will shift fine if I manually drop it into 4th and then back into drive. The tranny oil is just cold and thick and the sensors are just trying to warm up the oil by running higher tranny rpms in the front half (which I believe controls the oil pump also). We have a 6 mile 35mph secondary road before turning onto the 70mph highway. Invariably without the cardboard and less than 10F the tranny will stay in 4th extra, extra long and then shift in a strange high rpm, gutless pattern.

Cardboard.

Just like trucks and equipment, decrease the amount of cold air pushing against your block/tranny by cardboarding most (but not all) of the radiator. Espiacally the lower half. Temp sensitive shutters would be cool, the vinyl snap on protectors are next best bet, cardboard between couling and radiator - cheap, but functional. Just remember to pull it when temps warm up.

 

I have a manual trans, but I installed a 400w heater on it. When it is -20F or colder it just doesn't want to shift into first or reverse. I have a timer for the heater, it comes on a few hours before I leave for work. It shifts fine if I plug it in. Might be worth putting a heater on the trans and engine for below zero cold...electricity is cheaper than gas.

 

Thanks for the info, folks.

Believe me, the older I get the more this begins to appeal to me. I get why my folks live in AZ now.

 

Yup , temp sensor does not allow overdrive until warm .

 

My 07 does the same from day 1 now at almost 200,000 I would say it's normal just keep the fluid changed and use the WS fluid I've had no problems. I agree it is a warm up deal I would say so it doesn't lug the cold motor in 5th gear. Just my two-cents worth

 

Good friend of mine is an engineer (prof at top university) and consultant to Porsche and toyota. He told me for toyota engines down to 0f, start the truck and run it at 2000 rpm until warmed up. He said the truck will do the rest. I trust his advice. That's why he gets the big bucks.

 

I experience it, slap it into fourth and back over to drive and it acts normal from there. Part of it is me needing to service my shit (diffs, transmission, t-case).